Prince William Talks Prince George's Future Royal Duties, Says He and Kate Middleton Have a 'Normal Family'

Though he and his family live much of their lives in the limelight, Prince William believes that he and his wife, Kate Middleton, are a “normal family.” In a new interview with BBC News in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday, the second in line to the throne got candid about his professional and personal life.

“As far as we’re concerned, within our family unit we are a normal family,” he said of his wife and two children – Prince George and Princess Charlotte. “I love my children the same way a father does, and I hope George loves me the same way a son does his father.”

As for Prince George’s future royal duties, William, 33, thinks it’s still early to pressure his 2-year-old son with his royal responsibilities.

“There will be a time and a place to bring George up and understand how he fits into the world, but right now, it’s just a case of keeping a secure, stable environment around him and showing him as much love as I can as a father,” William said.

The son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana prioritizes his role as a father, so much so, in fact, that some have speculated that he is not keen on becoming a future king.

“I take my duties and my responsibilities to my family very seriously,” he said when asked about these concerns. “I want to bring my children up as good people… if I can’t give my time to my children as well, I worry about their future.”

William did add, “When the Queen decides she’s going to hand down more responsibilities, I’ll be the first person to accept them.”

As for his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Thursday. William called the royal “a guiding example of just what being a good monarch can be,” adding that she teaches him by example not instruction.

Though he takes his duties as a royal seriously, William did note that he does not necessarily look forward to the day he will take over the throne.

“The royal family has to modernize and develop as it goes along, and it has to stay relevant. That’s the challenge for me – how do I make the royal family relevant in the next 20 years time. It could be 40 years time. It could be 60 years time,” he said. “I have no idea when that’s going to be and I certainly don’t lie awake waiting or hoping for it because it sadly mean that my family have moved on and I don’t want that.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recently returned from their Royal Tour of India and Bhutan. In addition to honoring the Queen’s birthday, they will be hosting President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama in London later this week.